05/09/2026
Brothers and Sisters,
As we conclude Correctional Officers and Employees Week, AFSCME Council 4 wants to, once again, take this moment to proudly recognize and honor the extraordinary men and women who serve Connecticut’s correctional system with courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. While National Correctional Officers and Employees Week may be coming to a close, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚, 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒏𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍 4’𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓.
You walk into one of the most demanding and dangerous environments in public service, standing guard behind the wall as the front lines of Connecticut's correctional system. You maintain safety, order, and security in conditions that the public can never truly understand—chronic staffing shortages, rising violence, mandatory overtime, and the constant pressure that comes with maintaining order and protecting one another in an environment defined by unpredictability. Yet despite these challenges, you continue to stand your post with strength, discipline, and resilience—standing guard so that we can all rest easy in our homes at night. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲.
The work you do is not simply a job, it is a profound act of public service and sacrifice. You are the last line of defense against society’s worst evil. You miss holidays and time with family, carry immense mental and physical burdens, and put your safety on the line every single day to keep our facilities secure and our communities safe. The public may not always see the weight of that responsibility, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕.
What defines correction professionals is not only the dangers you face, but the bond you share with one another. In difficult moments, it is your unity, your solidarity, and your commitment to your fellow officers that carry you through. That solidarity is the foundation of our union, and it is the reason we will continue fighting relentlessly for the staffing, protections, respect, and dignity that Connecticut’s correction officers and employees have earned.
Please know that your work matters, your sacrifices are recognized, and your voices are heard. We are proud to stand with you, ensuring that your dedication is met with the respect, resources, and dignity you have earned.
This week, we honor not just what you do, but who you are… and, while this week may be coming to an end, our gratitude and respect for your service does not end with it. AFSCME Council 4 stands proudly beside you today and every day.
Stay safe, stay strong, and stay united.
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
In Solidarity,
AFSCME Council 4